Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he is satisfied that all regional airports are sufficiently funded to meet their requirements; if he has received submissions in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16988/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​My Department provides funding supports to the four regional airports through the Core Airport Operational Expenditure Costs Scheme (OPEX) and the Capital Expenditure Grant Scheme (CAPEX). Funding is also provided under the Public Service Obligations air services Scheme (PSO) in subvention of the Donegal/Dublin and Kerry/Dublin routes. Under Ireland's Regional Airports Programme 2015 - 2019, such funding supports will continue, where appropriate, to the regional airports.

In accordance with previous Government Policy, Exchequer supports for CAPEX projects will continue to be restricted under the 2015 - 2019 Programme to safety and security related projects only, with any additional developmental projects being funded by the airports themselves from own resources or local sources. Furthermore, all State funding supports will be applied in strict accordance with the 2014 EU Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines.

The 2015 - 2019 Programme is currently awaiting approval from the EU Commission, following which my Department will engage with the airports, thereby facilitating the submission of their respective business plans for consideration and identification of the specific funding supports over the lifetime of that Programme.